Thousands had a miracle New Year's Eve escape from a Dubai hotel fire on because flames were restricted to the outside of the building.

Government officials said nobody was injured in the chaotic inferno and astonishingly revealed celebrations will continue 'as planned'.

The fire appeared to break out from the 20th floor of the Address Downtown and soon spread throughout the rest of the building.

Fire engulfed a 63-storey skyscraper in downtown Dubai on Thursday night, but there appeared to be no injuries, a civil defence official said.

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Large tongues of flame shooting skywards enveloped the luxury hotel and residential block, which lies across a plaza from the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, where people were gathering for a spectacular fireworks display due to mark the start of the New Year.

Major General Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai Civil Defence, told the the pan-Arab television channel Al Arabiya: "There are no injuries, thank God."

He said the festivities would go ahead despite the fire, saying: "Of course, it will not affect the celebration."

Scott Sashua, a guest at The Address, wrote on Twitter: "Our whole hotel has just gone up in flames just as we was about to tuck in to our NYE dinner #TheAddress Dubai."

A Dubai Media Office spokesperson said: "The fire at the Address Downtown reported to have originated from outside 20th floor of hotel, has not spread inside.